Like the first, a decent historical mystery. The heroine's gushing over her new husband's perfection got a little old, but not enough to really detracLike the first, a decent historical mystery. The heroine's gushing over her new husband's perfection got a little old, but not enough to really detract from the story....more

A strong-minded heroine, a likable hero, and a decent mystery (although I had it figured out well before the reveal). Overall, a good historical mysteA strong-minded heroine, a likable hero, and a decent mystery (although I had it figured out well before the reveal). Overall, a good historical mystery....more

Another enjoyable Lady Darby mystery. I felt like this one had a little added depth--I liked the weaving together of the mystery with the perils and fAnother enjoyable Lady Darby mystery. I felt like this one had a little added depth--I liked the weaving together of the mystery with the perils and frustrations of being female in the 19th century. I thought it was well done....more

In this book, I liked the historical story a little better than the present-day story, but the events the author chose to write about were a little obIn this book, I liked the historical story a little better than the present-day story, but the events the author chose to write about were a little obscure. I understand she was more interested in Mary's story, and I did like her. In the present-day story, the author didn't do enough to help me understand why the the relationship between Sara and Luc developed. I did like the more unusual choice of a female protagonist with Asperger's. I don't have enough experience to know if that was well done or not, though....more

I didn't like this one as much as Kearsley's more recent work. I enjoyed it, but I felt like it was missing some depth. I wanted the romance to be a lI didn't like this one as much as Kearsley's more recent work. I enjoyed it, but I felt like it was missing some depth. I wanted the romance to be a little more believable, and I would have liked a more complete ending (that's something I've complained about with Kearsley before)....more

I liked it just as well as the first. The mystery seemed less important than everything else going on, but that was okay. The depiction of the historiI liked it just as well as the first. The mystery seemed less important than everything else going on, but that was okay. The depiction of the historical treatment of the mentally ill was both interesting and disturbing, and the story fit in well. Relationships in serial mysteries can sometimes be frustrating because the author seems reluctant to move them along, but Huber seems to be moving Keira and Gage along in a believable way....more

Katherine Reay creates relatable characters with real-life problems, but she still manages to keep it lighthearted and not depressing. I think she's aKatherine Reay creates relatable characters with real-life problems, but she still manages to keep it lighthearted and not depressing. I think she's a wonderful author, and I look forward to reading more....more

I loved the setting of the story, and I'm interested in anything having to do with medieval history, so those parts were highlights for me. It did takI loved the setting of the story, and I'm interested in anything having to do with medieval history, so those parts were highlights for me. It did take a long time to get to the real meaty parts of the story--about halfway in we finally got to the mystery. Still, it was a pleasant read up until that point. The second mystery was solved a bit abruptly, and that was the one I was more interested in. Overall, I enjoyed the book. The only other annoyance was superfluous commas, but I managed....more

I wanted to like this. It' a unique premise, and it was at least somewhat amusing, but I just couldn't get into it. I think it has a lot to do with thI wanted to like this. It' a unique premise, and it was at least somewhat amusing, but I just couldn't get into it. I think it has a lot to do with the author's world building, or lack thereof. Instead of creating a world and letting us experience the story from inside it, the world was spontaneously created as necessitated by the story--i.e., the characters need something, and it shows up. Even the characters themselves are just dropped into the story, and it's hard to care about people you don't know anything about, even the main characters. I also thought Stephanie would be more relatable if she acted a little more like a 12-year-old. There was a lot of telling rather than showing; for example, we couldn't share Skulduggery's "aha" moments because they were based on information the reader didn't have. I had a hard time caring enough about the book to even finish it. I doubt I'll give the second book a shot....more

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The characters had depth and believable stories. My only complaint was that it felt a little meandering at the beOverall, I really enjoyed this book. The characters had depth and believable stories. My only complaint was that it felt a little meandering at the beginning, and there were a few characters that seemed to be given more importance than actually played out in the story. I just felt like it needed just a little something more to be really great, but I'm not sure what. Still a worthwhile read, though....more

A nice balance of things I like--strong heroine, mystery, historical setting, and a believable non-cheesy romance. Mystery series can sometimes be forA nice balance of things I like--strong heroine, mystery, historical setting, and a believable non-cheesy romance. Mystery series can sometimes be formulaic and feel cranked out, but the characters in this series have a lot of depth. Lady Darby is unusual, and her dark past fits plausibly in the story. Mr. Gage is more than just a handsome face. The language seemed more modern that 1830 Scotland, but I got used to it quickly and it didn't bother me. I liked it enough that I've already read the next two and look forward to more....more

The best part of this series was that both main characters were strong, intelligent women. I don't want to waste my time on anything less. The story wThe best part of this series was that both main characters were strong, intelligent women. I don't want to waste my time on anything less. The story was well-crafted, not predictable, and significant; in fact, it was almost too serious for me. I think it could have used some lighter moments and definitely more humor. The ending was good, but not happy-go-lucky, either. My only criticism of the writing was that there were quite a few times where the scene would start and then move into some pretty lengthy backstory, and then by the time we got back to the scene I couldn't remember where we'd been. Overall, though, I thought it was a worthy read....more

This one had everything I love about Heyer's books, including a bit of mystery. It also gave me a greater appreciation for Heyer's broad range of RegeThis one had everything I love about Heyer's books, including a bit of mystery. It also gave me a greater appreciation for Heyer's broad range of Regency knowledge, including boxing, fashion, and high society. Whereas some of her other books have made mention of characters like Beau Brummell and the Regent, these characters actually played a significant role in this one, and Heyer seems to have fit them in authentically. For example, the Duke of Clarence apparently did court some wealthy heiresses after breaking up with his longtime mistress. I love Heyer's ability to set the scene with her description, even down to the Regent's Pavilion in Brighton. Really well done....more